Coin controlled credit mechanism



Dec. 16, 1952 H. M. MERRILL 2,621,770

COIN CONTROLLED CREDIT MECHANISM Filed March 22. 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet l ATTOR/VEV Dec. 16, 1952 H. M. MERRILL 2,621,770

com CONTROLLED CREDIT MECHANISM Filed March 22, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 0 km; J14. .Merrz'll 5% 5 Arrow 15y Patented Dec. 16, 1952 COIN CONTROLLED CREDIT MECHANISM Henry M. Merrill, Chicago, Ill., assignor to J. P.

Seeburg Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application March 22, 1947. Serial No. 736,446

14 Claims.

This invention relates to a credit mechanism whereby credit may be established by insertion of one or more coins to enable a device to be put into operation a number of times corresponding to the value of the coins inserted in the apparatus.

The credit mechanism most commonly employed in the coin controlled phonograph art employs a ratchet wheel. In its normal position the ratchet wheel opens a controlswitch. When the coins, for example, a nickel is inserted in the machine it falls down a chute and closes a switch. The closing of this switch energizes an electromagnetic device which steps the ratchet wheel on step from its normal position, allowing the control switch to close. The machine is now put into operation or .it is conditioned so that it can be put into operation by the actuation of a selector, for example. If several nickels are inserted the ratchet wheel is stepped away from normal position by a corresponding number of steps. Each operation of the machine, for example to play a record, or each time a selection is made the ratchet wheel is stepped back one step towards its normal position and eventually when the number of operations paid for have been carried out the ratchet wheel is back at its normal position and the control switch is open so that the machine is out of operation until further coins are inserted. Many such machines are arranged to take coins of different denominations, for example, a nickel, a dime and a quarter. A dime closes two switches and the electromagnetic means is energized twice so that the ratchet wheel is moved two steps from its normal position. The quarter closes five switches with the result that the ratchet Wheel is moved five steps away from its normal position. Machines of this type are protected by slug rejectors which reject spurious coins and these slug rejectors have a substantial height. Since the quarter must pass through the slug rejector and also down a chute long enough to provide five switches for actuation one after the other, the total height becomes prohibitive for some machines or devices which must be of small dimensions. Thus, for remote control selector boxes for automatic phonographs it is not practicable to provide suflicient height for slug rejector and a chute having five switches which must be operated with sufi'lcient intervals to insure five actuations of the electromagnetic device.

A principal object of the invention is to provide an improved credit mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved credit mechanism which is small, compact and which does not need to be located in any particular relation to the path of the coins.

Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the invention will appear from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof illustrated ,in the accompanying drawings. In these drawings I have disclosed the invention as applied to a remote control selector box for automatic phonographs of generally known type, but it must be understood that the credit mechanism herein described is not intended to be limited to this particular kind of device because it can be advantageously employed in all kinds of mechanisms where a credit mechanism can advantageously be employed. Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a front view of a remote control selector box for automatic phonographs, parts thereof being broken away to disclose mechanism in the interior of the box;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the upper right hand portion of the box as viewed on the line 22 of Fig. 1, the cover being removed and parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan detail of the switch banks as viewed from above;

Fig. 5 is a wiring diagram;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional side elevation of a modified form of credit mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a front elevation thereof; and

Fig. 8 is a partial wiring diagram.

Referring to the drawings, the mechanism illustrated therein is a remote control selector box of the general type described and claimed in Patents Nos. 2,388,595, 2,411,612 and 2,378,557. Such remote control selector boxes are rendered operable by a coin or coins and the actuation of one of a plurality of selector buttons each corresponding to an individual recording. The

' general operation is that a number of impulses are transmitted to the phonograph unit, the number of impulses depending upon which button is actuated.

In the present case the mechanism is supported on a base plate I 0 which may suitably be secured to the wall and is enclosed by a cover H which is secured to the base plate by means of a lock [2. The front of the box is provided with windows l3 behind which are located a plurality of title strips I 4 which are intended to carry the names of the recordings. The selector buttons l5 project forwardly through openings in the cover II. There are two series of buttons l5, one on each side of the box and these buttons register with the title strips M.

The buttons P5 are mounted on the outer ends of switch bars I3 which are mounted in two switch banks I'I. Each bar is biased, outwardly by a spring l3 and is provided with a large opening I9, and a small opening 20. Extending through each switch bank and through the open ings I9 is a locking bar 22, the openings 19 being sufficiently large to enable a bar to be displaced inwardly. Each locking bar 22 is biased upwardly by a spring 23 which bears against the upper end of the switch bank and against a washer secured to the upper end of the locking bar. Normally the locking bars are held downwardly out of locking position by means of a lever 24 which engages the top of the locking bar. Each locking bar is provided with a series of tongues 25 which are arranged so as to enter the opening IQ of each unactuated switch bar and into the opening of an actuated bar l5. As will hereinafter be described the locking bars 22 move upwardly immediately after credit has been established by the insertion of a coin or coins and one of the buttons I5 is pressed inwardly. Consequently, the actuated bar It is locked in and the other switch bars l3 are locked against actuation until after the impulses are trans mitted. Thereafter the locking bars are returned to their normal position by the levers 24. Each locking bar carries an insulated contact which is. adapted to engage an insulated contact 21 when the bar is moved upwardly into locking position. Each switch bar l5 carries an insulated contact 28 which normally engages two contacts 29 of which a series is carried by each switch bank. Normally the contacts 28 and 29 are 23 and 21 so that when both locking bars 22 are up the contacts 28 and 29 are connected in series to. the line 30 which is connected to the line 3|. A stationary disc 32 of insulating material carries an arc of contacts 33 which are adapted to be engaged seriatim by a grounded arm 34. The

apparatus illustrated is intended to make twenty selections there being twenty buttons I5. There are twenty-five contacts 33 and the arrangement is such that for selection No. l five impulses are transmitted, for selection No. 2 six impulses are transmitted and for selection No. 20 twentyfive impulses are transmitted. Thus, to obtain the playing of any records at least five impulses must be transmitted. The reason this is done is that the impulses are radio frequency signals and the apparatus at the main unit is arranged to be operated only by a regular series of such impulses of at least five in number so that it is unaffected by accidental surges in the line. The second contact 29 of the left hand bank is connected to the nineteenth contact 33, assuming these contacts are numbered in the clockwise direction. The third contact 29 of the left hand bank is connected to the eighteenth contact 33, etc. The lowermost contact 29 of the right hand series is unconnected. The next higher contact 23 of the right hand bank is connected to the first contact 33, etc. The last six contacts 33 are connected to the line 3|. It will thus be seen that if button No. 12 is depressed as shown in Fig. 5 the first eight contacts 33 are disconnected from the line 3| and consequently the line 3| is grounded seventeen times when the arm 34 is given one revolution in the manner hereinafter to be described. If the button No. 20 is actuated, twenty-five impulses are transmitted and if the button No. 1 is actuated the line 3| is grounded six times. As will hereinafter be explained each grounding of the line 3| results in the transmission of an impulse.

The arm 34 is carried by a shaft 35 which is driven through a train of gears 33 from a motor 31. The shaft 35 carries a cam 38 which is adapted to contact. a projection 39 on a bar 4|) which is mounted to slide vertically. The upper end of the bar 43 has pin and slot connections with the levers 24. When the bar 40 is in its lowermost position as shown in Fig. 1 it effects the closing of three normally opened switches 43, 4| and 42. At the end of a revolution of the arm 34 the cam 38 engages the projection 33 and raises the bar 43 so that the levers 24 move the locking bars 22 downwardly into unlocking position. and the switches 40, 4| and 42 open terminating the operation of the motor as will hereinafter be described.

Along the back of each switch bank extends a bar 43 which is pivotally mounted in lugs 44 provided at the ends of the banks and arranged to be displaced in the manner shown at the left hand side of Fig. 4 by an actuated bar US. The bar 43 carries a piece of insulation 45 which engages one leaf of a switch 43 so that this switch is closed when a bar I6 is actuated or locked in actuated position.

Below the shaft 35 is rotatably mounted a shaf 4 7 which rigidly carries a switch assembly 45. The shaft 41 carries a gear 49 which meshes with a pinion 50 carried by the shaft 35. The gear 49 and the pinion 50 have a five to one ratio since the switch. assembly 48 includes five switches. Of course any number of switches could be used in the switch assembly and the gear ratio changed accordingly. In the present instance, the machine is adapted to take nickels, dimes and quarters and five switches in the switch assembly are sufiicient for this purpose. The switches 5| on the switch assembly 48 are equally spaced so that each switch 5| is moved from one position to the next position through A; of a revolution each time the shaft 35 makes one revolution.

The switch assembly 43 is best seen in Fig. 3. It comprises metal discs 52, 53 and 54, and discs 58 and 51 of insulating material. Each switch 5| comprises a contact 58 carried by the disc 51 and electrically connected to a slip ring 59 also carried by the disc 51. Each switch 5| also comprises a movable pole 6!! which is grounded to the shaft 41, this pole being adapted to engage the contact 58 as shown at the top of Fig. 3. The pole 63 is movable within a slot 5| in a surrounding arm 32. The poles 30 and the arms 32 are of spring material and are firmly mounted between the discs and 56. The poles 60 and arms 32 may suitably be stamped out of the same material which is of spider form providing the necessary elements for each of the five switches. The outer end of each pole 60 is connected to the outer end of the arm 62 by means of a horseshoe spring 63. The arrangement is such that when an arm 32 is deflected to the right, as at the top of Fig. 3, the spring 63 snaps the arm 62 to the right and the associated pole 60 to the left. Again when the arm 62 is moved to the left, the associated pole 63 snaps to the right so that the switch is opened. Thus, I have five snap switches on the switch assembly. The slip ring 59 is engaged by a brush 64 which is connected to aline 65 (Fig. 5).

The machine is provided with an opening 85 for acceptance of coins, for example, dime, nickel and quarter. The coins pass through slug rejector 68 and the accepted coins drop through coin chutes =61, 68 and 69 into a cash box (not shown). Below these coin chutes are provided three arms 18 pivotally mounted and arranged so that one of them is deflected by each coin. Each arm 19 is arranged to close one of the three switches 12 or 13. Thus, the switch 1| is closed by a dime, the switch 12 is closed by a nickel and the switch 13 is closed by a quarter. The switches 12 and 13 are connected to a line 14 which is connected to a suitable point on the secondary 15 of the transformer Hi. The switches 1|, l2 and 13 are connected to the solenoids ll, 13 and 19, respectively. The solenoids l1, l8 and 19 are located so that they register with three of the switches 5| in the normal position of the switch assembly 48. Consequently,

when one of the solenoids, for example, solenoid H, is energized the registering switch 5| is closed as shown in Fig. 3. The disc 53 is provided with vanes 89 which are located between adjacent switches 5! and are bent into position to serve as cams for the return of the armatures of the solenoids I8 and 19. Consequently, when one of the solenoids has closed switch 5|, the switch assembly is driven in the counterclockwise direaction as viewed in Figure l and the actuated armature is promptly returned to its normal position. Each closed switch 5| is opened by a stationary cam 8| which provides an inclined flange 82 which engages the arm 62 associated with a closed switch and snaps the switch into open position. Since the present machine is intended for establishing credit for one, two or five selecting operations, the cam member BI is located somewhat less than one, two and five switch spacings from the solenoids l8, l1 and 19, respectively. Thus, when a nickel is inserted, the solenoid I8 is energized and when the operator makes one selection, the shaft is given one rotation and the switch assembly 48 moves of a revolution in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 1 and the closed switch is opened. Carryover switch means insures the drive ofthe arm 34 for a complete revolution and the drive terminates with the switch assembly 48 in normal position with three of its switches 5| in alignmentwith the solenoids ll, 18 and 19. The insertion of a dime energizes the solenoid TI and permits two selecting operations. At the end of the first selecting operation, the closed switch 5| has not reached the cam member 8|. The second selecting operation opens the closed switch 5| and the switch assembly 48 is driven until the machine is again stopped in its normal condition. When a quarter is inserted, the solenoid 19 is energized and five selections can be made before the machine is again brought to normal condition. The line '14 is connected through a suitable resistor 83 and signal lamp 84 to the line 65. Consequently, when any of the switches 5| is closed the signal lamp 84 is illuminated sothat the user is in:

formed that he has credit established on the machine.- When this credit is exhausted by making selections, the lamp 84 goes out. The line 14 is connected to one side of the motor 31 and to one side of an electromagnet 85,. The other side of the motor 31 is connected to the ungrounded side of the carryover switch 4| and to a contact 86.

, The other side of the electromagnet 85 is connected to contact 81 and to a contact 88 on the disc 32 arranged to be engaged by the grounded arm 34 after it has passed over the contacts 33 and is approaching the end of its complete revolution. The electromagnet controls an armature 89 which is normally in engagement with the contact 86. When the electromagnet 85 is energized the armature 89 moves into engagement with the contact 81 and out of engagement with the contact 88. The armature 89 is connected to one side of each of the switches 46. The other sides of these switches is connected to the line 65 and consequently, to the ungrounded sides of the switches 5|.

When one of the switches 5| is closed by the insertion of a coin, the lamp 84 becomes illuminated. When one of the buttons I5 is depressed one of the switches 46 is closed. The motor is now driven owing to the completion of the circuit 1 4, motor 81, contact 86, armature 89, the closed switch 46 and the closed switch 5|. The initial movement of the shaft 35 disengages the cam 38 from the projection 39 so that the member 40 moves downwardly closing the carryover switch 4| and the switches 49' and 42. The downward movement of the member 40 permits the locking bars 22 to move upwardly locking the actuated button l5 in and preventing actuation of the other buttons. In the event that the operator tries to cheat the machine by blocking the move- 'ment of either locking bar by a partial return of the button i5, no impulses will be transmitted because holding either of the locking bars prevents engagement between one contact 28 with the other contact 2?. The closing of the carryover switch 4| insures the drive of the arm 34 through a complete revolution. Near the end of this complete revolution the arm 34 engages the contact 88 and energizes the electromagnet 85. The armature 89 engages the contact 81 and the electromagnet 85 remains energized as long as one of the switches 45 and one of the switches 5| remains closed. At the end of a complete revolution of the arm 34 the switch 4| is opened and the motor 31 stops. This arrangement prevents a careless operator from dissipating his credit by holding in a button and. transmitting the same signal repeatedly, in which case he would obtain only one play instead of several to which his credit entitles him. If the operator does hold in a button after it would normally be released by the return of the lockin bars 22, the electromagnet 85 is maintained energized and the motor 31 cannot be started again until after the operator releases the displaced button 15 whereupon the opening of the switch 46 deenergizes the electromagnet 85 and establishes the engagement between the contacts 88 and 89 which is necessary for starting the motor 81.

The machine is energized by power lines 99 and 9|. The power line 98 is connected to one side of the switch 42 and to a key operated switch 92 whereby the machine may be turned on or off. The power line 9| is connected to one side of the primary 93 of the transformer T8 and through a by-pass condenser 94 to a coil 95 which is coupled to an oscillator coil 95. The other side of the coil 95 is connected to one side of the switch 48. The other side of the switch 92 is connected to the other side of the primary 93 to the other side of the switch 42 and through a by-pass condenser 9'! to the other side of the switch 40". The oscillator coil 96 is tuned to desired radio frequency by means of a condenser 55. The tank circuit constituted by the coil 96 and condenser 98 is connected to the line 3%. The oscillator tube 99 may suitably be a triode. Its cathode is connected to a tap on the coil 96. Its grid is connected through a by-pass condenser H15; and a parallel resistor lfil to another tap on the coil 96. Its heater is energized by a line I02 which is connected to a tap on the secondary 75, its other side being grounded. A rectifier Hi3 provides plate voltage for the oscillator tube 99. The plate of the rectifier M33 is connected to the ungrounded side of the secondary i5 and is connected to the grid of the tube Hi3 through a limiting, resistor Hit. The heater of the tube N13 is energized. by a secondary I95 of the transformer Hi. Thev cathode of the tube H33 and the plate of the tube 99 are connected to one side of the winding liili and this side is connected to ground through a by-pass condenser Hill. It will readily be understood that when the arm EM passes over the contact 35 hich is connected to the line 3|, the tank circuit is grounded so that the oscillator operates to transmit a radio frequency signal over the lines til and 9!. Once a transmitting cycle has been initiated the transmission cannot be interfered with by opening and closing the switch 82. If the switch 92 were opened during a transmitting cycle the machine remains ener gized since the switch i2 is closed. Furthermore, the train of radio frequency impulses cannot be interrupted by opening the switch 92 since the transmitting circuit is completed through line 9 l, condenser 54, coil 95, closed switch 49, condenser 97., closed switch t2 and line 90.

In Figs. 6, '7 and 8 I have disclosed a further embodiment of my invention in which I utilize displaceable members Nil on an assembly 48 which takes the place of the switch assembly in the previously described embodiment. The members It] are pivotally mounted on the assembly 38 and springs HIS hold them in normal or actuated position. The normal position of one of the members itl is illustrated in phantom at the upper part of Fig. 6. The members It? are normally located relative to the solenoids II, 78 and i9 similarly to the location of the switches 55 in the previously described embodiment. Consequently, when one of the solenoids, T8 for example, is energized, the registering member lfii displaced into actuated position as shown in full lines in the upper part of 6. The armatures of the solenoids may be returned to normal position by springs IE3. The displaced member Hill is returned by a cam Hit during the first, second or fifth selecting operation depending upon which of the solenoids i3, "ill or respectively, have been energized by the insertion of a coin. Before the cam Ills returns the displaced member till, this member opens a switch llil which is located out of the path of unactuated members Hill. A single switch 5 I takes the place of the plurality of parallel switches iii in the previously described embodiment. One side of the switch 5! is grounded and the other side is connected to the line 55. The switch 5! and a holding switch Iii are controlled by a relay H2. One side of the relay is connected to the line "it. Its other side is connected to the coin switches la, l2 and "i3 and also to one side of the holding switch i i l. The other side of the holding switch Hi is connected to one side of the switch llil, the other side of which is grounded. A resistor H3 is located in series with th switch lit to limit the holding current to desired degree.

If a quarter is inserted, the switch 13 is momentarily closed energizing the solenoid 19 so that the aligned displaceable member I 01 is displaced, and the relay H2 is energized closing switches 5i and Ill. The relay H2 is locked in through the circuit "M, relay IE2, holding switch [I l and the closed switch Ht. Selections may now be made and as each impulsin circuit occurs the actuated member ill moves one member space in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 7 and 8. During the transmission of the impulses corresponding to the fifth selection the displaced member opens the switch H0 deenergizing the relay H2. The train of signals continues since the motor operates until it opens the carryover switch 45. After the switch I [0 has been opened the displaced member Iii! is returned to its normal position by the cam I69 and the. machine remains out of operation until another coin has been inserted.

It will be noted that in both cases I have provided an improved credit mechanism which permits a number of operations of the machine depending upon the denomination of the coin which has been inserted.

My improved credit mechanism is described and claimed in relation to a dispensing machine in my pending application, serial No. 736,501, filed or" even date.

Although the invention has been described in connection with the specific details of a preferred embodiment thereof, it must be understood that such details are not intended to be limitative of the invention except so far as set forth in the accompanying claims.

Having thus described my invention, I declare that what I claim is:

1. A credit mechanism for a manually controlled mechanism, comprising a rotary assembly having a series of equally spaced displaceable members, a relay rendering, when energized, the controlled mechanism operative, coin-controlled means for displacing a displaceable member and energizing said relay, means operatively connected to said controlled mechanism for moving said assembly as the mechanism is operated, and means actuated by a displaced member for deenergizing said relay, the last mentioned means and the displacing means being displaced to determine the amount of credit established.

2. In combination, a manually controlled mechanism, a rotary assembly having a series of equally spaced displaceable members, switch means rendering, when closed, the controlled mechanism operative, a plurality of electromagnetic means, each arranged to displace one of said displaceable members, a plurality of coin actuated means, each arranged to close said switch means and energize a corresponding displacing means, means operatively connected to said controlled mechanism for moving said assembly as the mechanism is operated, and means cooperating with a displaced member for opening said switch means, each of said displacing means being displaced from the last mentioned means by a difierent distance to establish corresponding various amounts of credit.

3. In combination, a manually controlled mechanism, an assembly of equally spaced normally open snap switches, each switch, when closed, rendering said controlled mechanism operative, a plurality of electromagnetic means, each arranged to displace one of said switches to closed position, a plurality of coin actuated means, each arranged to energize a corresponding electromagnetic means, means operatively 9 connected to said controlled mechanism for moving said assembly as the mechanism is operated, and means for returning a closed switch to Open position, each of said electromagnetic means being displaced from the last mentioned means by a different distance to establish corresponding various amounts of credit.

4. A credit mechanism for a manually controlled mechanism, comprising a rotary assem bly having a series of equally spaced displaceable members, a relay having a switch rendering, when the relay is energized, the controlled mechanism operative, a plurality of electromagnetic means, each arranged to displace a corresponding displaceable member, a plurality of coin actuated means, each arranged to energize said relay and a corresponding electromagnetic means, means operatively connected to said controlled mechanism for moving said assembly as the mechanism is operated, and means actuated by a displaced member for de-energizing said relay, each of said electromagnetic means being displaced from the last mentioned means by a different distance to establish corresponding amounts of credit.

5. In combination, a mechanism, arranged to perform automatic operations, manually actuable means for initiating each operation, and a credit mechanism comprising a rotary assembly having a series of equally spaced displaceable members, a relay rendering, when energized, the first mentioned mechanism operative by actuation of said manually actuable means, coin-controlled means for displacing a displaceable member and energizing said relay, means operatively connected to the first mentioned mechanism for moving said assembly each time the first mentioned mechanism is operated, and means actuated by a displaced member for de-energizing said relay, the lastmentioned means and the displacing means being displaced to determine the number of operations for the first mentioned mechanism.

6. In combination, a mechanism, arranged to perform automatic operations, manually actuable means for initiating each operation, and a credit mechanism comprising a rotary assembly having a series of equally spaced displaceable members, switch means rendering, when closed, the first mentioned mechanism operative by actuation of said manually actuable means, a plurality of electromagnetic means, each arranged to displace one of said displaceable members, a plurality of coin actuated means, each arranged to close said switch means and energize a corresponding displacing means, means operatively connected to the first mentioned mechanism for moving said assembly each time the first mentioned mechanism is operated, and means cooperating with a displaced member for opening said switch means, each of said electromagnetic means being displaced from the last mentioned means by a different distance to establish a definite individual number of operations for the first mentioned mechanism for each electromagnetic means.

7. In combination, a mechanism, arranged to perform automatic operations, manually actuable means for initiating each operation, and a credit mechanism comprising a rotary assembly having a series of equally spaced switches, each arranged, when closed, to render the first mentioned mechanism operative by actuation of said manually actuable means, a plurality of electromagnetic means, each arranged to displace one of said switches to closed position, a plurality of coin actuated means each arranged to energize a germ corresponding electromagnetic means, means operatively connected to the first mentioned mechanism for moving said assembly each time the first mentioned mechanism is operated, and means for returning a closed switch to open position, each electromagnetic means being displaced .from the last mentioned means by a difierent distance to establish a definite individual number of operations for the first mentioned mech anism for each electromagnetic means.

8. In combination, a mechanism, arranged to perform automatic operations, manually actuable means for initiating each operation, and a credit mechanism comprising a rotary assembly having a series of equally spaced displaceable members, a relay having a switch rendering, when the relay is energized, the first mentioned mechanism operative by said manually actuable means, a plurality of electromagnetic means, each arranged to displace a corresponding displaceable member, a plurality of coin actuated means, each arranged to energize said relay and a corresponding electromagnetic means, means operatively connected to the first mentioned mechanism for moving said assembly each time the first mentioned mechanism is operated, and means actuated by a displaced member for de-energizing said relay, each of said electromagnetic means being displaced from the last mentioned means by a different distance to establish a definite individual number of operations for the first mentioned mechanism for each electromagnetic means.

9. A selector for automatic phonographs, comprising a plurality of manually operable selector elements adapted to control a plurality of indi vidual selector circuits corresponding to individual recordings, and a credit mechanism comprising a rotary assembly having a series of equally spaced displaceable members, means normally maintaining said circuits unresponsive to said selector elements, coin-controlled means for displacing one of said members and rendering said circuits responsive to said selector elements, means controlled by each selecting operation for moving said assembly stepwise, and means cooperating with a displaced member for rendering said circuits unresponsive to said selector elements, the last mentioned means being displaced from the displacing means by a distance which ensures a definite number of selecting operations.

10. selector for automatic phonographs, comprising a plurality of manually operable selector elements adapted to control a plurality of individual selector circuits corresponding to individual recordings, and a credit mechanism comprising a rotary assembly having a series of equally spaced switches, each arranged, when closed, to render said circuits responsive to said selector elements, coin controlled means for closing one of said switches to establish credit, means controlled by each selecting operation for moving said assembly stepwise, and means for opening a closed switch, said switch opening means being displaced from said switch closing means by a distance which ensures a definite number of selecting operations.

11. A selector for automatic phonographs, comprising a plurality of manually operable selector elements adapted to control a plurality of individual selector circuits corresponding to individual recordings, and a credit mechanism comprising a rotary assembly having a. series of equally spaced displaceable members, a relay, rendering, when energized, said circuits efiective,

means for displacing a displaceable member and energizing said relay, means controlled by each selecting operation for moving said assembly, and means actuated by a displaced member for de-energizing said relay, the last mentioned means and the displacing means being displaced by a distance which ensures a definite number of selecting operations.

12. A selector for automatic phonographs comprising a plurality of manually operable selector elements adapted to control a plurality of individual selector circuits corresponding to individual recordings, and a credit mechanism comprising a rotary assembly having a series of equally spaced displaceable members, switch means rendering, when closed, said circuits ei fective, a plurality of electromagnetic means, each arranged to displace one of said displaceable members, a plurality of coin actuated means, each arranged to close said switch means and energize a corresponding displacing means, means controlled by each selecting operation for moving said assembly, and means cooperating with a displaced member for opening said switch means, each displacing means being displaced from the last mentioned means by a different distance to establish a definite individual number of selecting operations for each displacing means.

13. A selector for automatic phonographs comprising a plurality of manually operable selector elements adapted to control a plurality of individual selector circuits corresponding to individual recordings, and a credit mechanism comprising a rotary assembly having a series of equally spaced switches, each arranged, when closed, to render said circuits responsive to said selector elements, a plurality of electromagnetic means, each arranged to displace one of said switches to closed position, a plurality of coin actuated means, each arranged to energize a corresponding electromagnetic means, means controlled by each selecting operation for .moving said assembly stepwise, and means for returning a closed switch to open position, each electromagnetic means being displaced from the last mentioned means by a different distance to establish a definite individual number of selecting operations for each electromagnetic means.

14. A selector for automatic phonographs, comprising a plurality of manually operable selector elements adapted to control a plurality of individual selector circuits, corresponding to individual recordings, and a credit mechanism comprising a rotary assembly having a series of equally spaced displaceable members, a relay having a switch, rendering, when the relay is energized, to render said circuits effective, a plurality of electromagnetic means, each arranged to displace a corresponding displaceable member, a plurality of coin actuated means, each arranged to energize said relay and a corresponding electromagnetic means, means controlled by each selecting operation for moving said assembly, and means actuated by a displaced member for deenergizing said relay, each of said electromagnetic means being displaced from the last mentioned means by a different distance to establish a definite individual number of selecting operations for each electromagnetic means.

HENRY M. MERRILL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 708,167 Pifer Sept. 2, 1902 931,485 Raders Aug. 1'7, 1909 1,678,554 Burgess July 24, 1928 2,167,061 Andres July 25, 1939 2,267,359 Adler Dec. 23, 1941 

